New Delhi, India: A tragic explosion at a fireworks manufacturing factory near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu has claimed the lives of eight individuals, including five women workers. Additionally, twelve others sustained burn injuries in the incident.
The explosion, which occurred at the Sri Sudharshan Fireworks unit in Virudhunagar district, is believed to have been triggered by friction during the handling of chemicals. District Superintendent of Police K Feroze Khan Abdullah stated that the factory is licensed to produce fancy fireworks and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
Videos from the scene depict large plumes of smoke rising from the area, with intermittent explosions as rescue workers cautiously approached the scene. One injured individual was seen being transported from the site on a wheelbarrow.
Sivakasi, known as the firecracker capital of India, has experienced a series of fatal explosions in recent years. Safety experts attribute these incidents to numerous violations, including the lack of proper training for workers and improper handling of chemicals.
Dr. V Sriram, a fire safety expert, emphasized that the majority of explosions at fireworks factories are a result of human error. Violations such as handling excessive amounts of explosives at once and the use of banned chemicals contribute to the high risk of accidents.
Despite past arrests related to safety violations, there has been little improvement in fire safety practices in Sivakasi. Experts are calling on the state government to conduct thorough safety audits at all fireworks manufacturing units to address and rectify the underlying issues.
As investigations into the recent explosion continue, Chief Minister MK Stalin has expressed condolences for the lives lost and pledged to provide relief to the affected families once approval is obtained from the Election Commission.